Jewish Ghetto stroll with wine and appetizers

Experience the quiet hours of Venice, the best time to experience the true Venetian culture, when light is waning and locals go to their favorite bars for food, drinks and fun. It is a social moment when the hectic pace of the day turns into a relaxed stroll and the canals are at their best. If you were looking for a chance to experience the local version of “happy hour”, this is your chance! Learn more about Venetian tradition as you discover the historic Jewish quarter, tasting new wines and cicchetti appetizers.

This wine and food tour begins by exploring the Jewish Quarter in the Cannaregio district, an area considered an authentically Venetian by locals. The Jewish Quarter was the first of its kind in the world and served as inspiration for Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. It is still an active center for the Jewish community, and its alleyways, bridges and canals have maintained a unique identity throughout the ages. You’ll enjoy this stroll away from the tourist crowds, with shops and restaurants that offer a high level of service, making it a place where many locals go to wind down after a hard day of work. Your guide is highly qualified to show you have real Venetians live and you can experience them as a real insider.
Take your time with your group to amble along the way and enjoy a traditional open-air market, fascinating shops and other unique places. You’ll visit three popular bàcari (wine bars) that will seem like they just came out of an Italian movie. Wine glasses and bottle line the brick and stone walls. You’ll taste a variety of Italian finger foods of various shapes and sizes, known as cicchetti.

Enjoy and participate in lively conversations while tasting local delicacies like expertly seasoned and fried meatballs, creamy codfish mousse or a creative bruschetta, you’ll always find the best of the day’s market in these one-of-a-kind creations. Each sampling will be paired with an ombra, a small glass of one of the regions many renowned varieties of wine (and included together with the food in the tour price). Your guide will share fascinating insights such as how the word ombra, which means “shadow,” comes from a centuries-old tradition when merchants would sell their wine in the shadow of St. Mark’s bell tower in order to keep themselves, and the wine, cool. Your guide will take you into the heart of this spirit, which still continues today. Relax and enjoy a pleasant evening in your group of 12 people or less and before the night is over, soak in some of the city’s breathtaking views and hidden treasures. You will also learn the history behind the Venetian culture and how to make the most of it. That’s the best part; beyond delighting in the food and wine adventure itself, you’ll leave with the courage and insight necessary to continue the adventure on your own!